Solar Packs to be Delivered to 300 Van Gurjars’ Families in UP Reserve

Around 391 Van Gurjars families living in Amangarh area will get solar power packs as logistic problem does not permit them to have access to electricity by conventional means.

Each power pack costs Rs 47,000 and will be delivered to each Van Gurjar family under PM Saubhaagya scheme. Each household will be delivered a separate solar power pack equipped with a 200-watt solar panel, five LED lights, one battery, one DC ceiling fan and mobile charger.

As per New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (NEDA) officials, with this step, their settlements will be well lit at night and the lights will also keep wild animals at bay. They said there are 391 Van Gurjars living in Amangarh Tiger Reserve. These nomads own over 2,000 livestock including cows, buffaloes and goats. They are spread over an area spanning more than 70 hectares of land. The area has doubled over the past five years.

Census data provided by the power department shows that in 1990, there were 50 families living in the reserve forest. Their numbers rose to 70 in 2012. Recent survey shows that 391 families live in the forest now.

SK Singh, district officer of NEDA, believed “We have illuminated around 15 villages with solar power pack. Now, the facility is being extended to the Van Gurjars. According to the data provided by the Power Corporation, there 391 families living in ATR without any power. Now, we will illuminate their makeshift camps with solar power pack.”